United Kingdom

SSE cuts back on 504MW Galloper project

UK: Utility SSE has revealed plans to scale back the 504MW Galloper wind farm in the North Sea by nearly a third to 340MW.

Galloper is an extension of the Greater Gabbard wind farm

The company announced its move in its half-year results and said the decision was taken after recognising "the most efficient and viable scale for the project in the current energy market climate".

Galloper is being developed by SSE and RWE. The 140-turbine project is an extension of the existing 504MW Greater Gabbard development. It is scheduled for completion in 2017.

SSE added that an application had been submitted for an investment contract under the UK government's electricity market reform framework.

Referring to wind power on a wider scale, SSE also said it was concerned about the government's ambition for offshore wind and the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence.

Possibly referring to the recent debate in the UK over the household energy prices, SSE added it was looking at the "extent to which policy makers are willing to enable energy companies to secure a fair return on the capital they have invested, either through energy bills or alternative means, such as taxation".

Overall the company said it made a pre-tax profit of £336.4 million (EUR 400 million) over the first six months of 2013 following a loss of £41 million in the same period last year.

Renewable energy from wind and hydro produced 3.1TWh, compared with 2.8TWh in 2012. This increase was largely down to the completion of Greater Gabbard wind farm.

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